Win Phillips, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor University of Missouri Columbia, MO
At the end of this lecture, students will be able to: Identify and describe the basic components of information systems Give examples of those components from healthcare contexts
A system has components may contain other systems is goal-directed (has a purpose) is delineated from its environment may interact with its environment
System whose purpose, goal, or function is to provide information Our concern will be with “computer” information systems But, very broadly, “information system” can mean any mechanism that functions to share or communicate information (whether or not involves computers) Communication channels and networks Formal, informal Verbal, nonverbal Centralized, decentralized Vertical and horizontal patterns of information flow within organization Organizational hierarchy and other factors relevant
Traditional classification Modern approaches Healthcare examples
Data processing system Management information system Executive information system
Traditional levels now blurred Decision-support functionality at both management and executive levels Newer types and labels: “expert systems” “knowledge management systems”
Traditional approach: batch-processing billing and payroll systems, ADT system, scheduling system, clinical documentation still paper-based Modern approaches: clinical practice management systems, EHR systems (including decision-support functionality and ad hoc querying tools)
Information Software Hardware People Policies “Information” covered in this lecture; other topics in later lectures
Continuum from data to wisdom Data: minimal interpretation and context, relatively “raw” measurements, numerical values, device readings, elements Information: data placed in context, meaningful data Knowledge: evidence-based true statements, facts Wisdom: “know-how” based on experience
Distinction between data and information seems relative to context, purpose Terms “data” and “information” sometimes used to represent data, information, or knowledge Many questions and issues about data also apply to information
Form: expressed as number, word, narrative text, image, sound In particular units (for example, lbs., degrees F) With modifiers (for example, left arm, standing) What it represents (for example, blood pressure) About particular patient or population Collected at particular date and time
How communicated: spoken, handwritten, printed, electronic Collected by specific person or device Generated by: by devices, computers, patient/clinician observations or decisions Is valid for what interval of time
Data flow may refer to communication of relatively uninterpreted facts Information flow more about dissemination of messages and knowledge throughout organization
Variety of properties suggested, including: Accuracy Completeness (not missing crucial measurements, and parameters known) Precision (accuracy of measurement repeatable) Relevance (datum useful) Reliability (consistent methods of collection) Timeliness Validity (method of capture proper) Verifiability (can verify if needed)
In this lecture we reviewed the basic components of information systems and provided examples of those components as used in a healthcare context. the distinction between data, information, knowledge and wisdom (DIKY) reviewed the characteristics and flow of data in an organization